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Perhaps the most famous for being a key component of tiramisu, an Italian coffee and chocolate dessert, is mascarpone (pronounced mahs-car-POH-nay), the Italian double or triple cream cheese. Yet because of its very high proportion of saturated fat, this sweet and smooth cow's milk cheese also gives savoury meals a rich texture. The Renaissance saw the invention of mascarpone in the Lombardy area of northern Italy.
The term "Italian-style cream cheese" is frequently used to describe mascarpone, however, it is a bit misleading. It's soft and not aged, like cream cheese, but that's about where the similarities should end. Compared to cream cheese, its flavour is significantly sweeter and less acidic. As its fat level varies from 60% to 75%, it also tastes richer. This cheese is also a major component in many recipes and if you want to add some mascarpone touch to your life then these are the dishes you must try.
Top Mascarpone Cheese Dishes
The following are the best mascarpone dishes to try:
Tiramisu
Layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and a cream composed of mascarpone, eggs, and sugar make up the Italian delicacy known as tiramisu. A few variations additionally contain alcoholic flavours, such as those found in Marsala wine, Fernet, rum, Cognac, brandy, or coffee liqueur. Like American apple pie, tiramisu is the ultimate comfort food dessert, with variations in recipes and tastes from family to family.
Mascarpone Cheesecake
This Mascarpone Cheesecake is ultra-creamy with a dash of tang, and it's not your typical slice of cake. This no-bake delicacy is ideal for summers when you don't want to switch on your hot oven. Despite being frozen for several hours, the bits will melt in your tongue and have the perfect creamy cheesecake texture you crave. However, if you freeze it overnight, you need to allow it to remain at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving.
Strawberry Shortcake Sheet Cake
This sheet cake is ideal for any occasion, combining delicate, buttery biscuits and luscious berries with a tangy mascarpone whipped cream for a wonderfully elegant treat. The delicate, buttery cake foundation is as simple to prepare as biscuits, and mixing in some chopped strawberries to the dough provides bursts of berry flavour with each mouthful. A sprinkle of crunchy sugar on top of the cake adds a glittering snap.
The strawberry topping virtually takes care of itself, as the sugared berries soften and form a delicious sauce while resting on the counter. Folding whipped cream into sour mascarpone adds a note of acidic, rich flavour to offset the luscious berries.
Berry Chantilly Cake
Made with layers of delicate vanilla cake, fresh fruit, and raspberry jam, the cake can be filled and topped with any type or mix of berries. Cream cheese adds a tiny acidity, while mascarpone cheese makes it buttery, silky, and rich. Just be cautious not to overbeat the mascarpone; it may easily break and provide a gritty texture to the frosting. To end, just before serving, top the cake with gorgeous whole fresh berries and a few sprigs of fresh mint.
Watermelon Pie
This wonderfully comforting watermelon pie features delicious watermelon flavours, retaining all of the fruit's inherent sweetness and flavour.
A Biscoff cookie crust adds caramel and brown sugar to the pie, while vibrant lemon zest and the subtle tang of mascarpone cheese balance off the sweetness. The topping, a combination of heavy cream and mascarpone, is light and creamy without melting too quickly.
If you enjoy your desserts with some international flair then having some mascarpone on hand is never a bad idea. Its delightful flavour can elevate a wide range of dishes along with adding a creamy texture that makes eating any dessert or dish a wonderful experience with each bite.
